Monday, September 15, 2014

Critique Review

 "V" By Valeria Duque







Critique Review

My sculpture titled “V” had more of a forced critique due to it being the first to go and having the subject matter be one isn’t discuss on a regular basis. However, I was still able to receive some feedback that has allowed me to view my piece in a different perspective. My first realization came from having others view the shape as a bone.  I had not seen this before and feel that this association attaches the sculpture more into the realms of the anatomy. However, I do feel that the bone shape does create an association that blocks the interpretation of the over all shape and maybe creating a completely circular top and bottom would eliminate some of the bone association. There was also a lot of response about the fact that it was not a functioning vagina. This in particular had me thinking. This was something I dealt with while creating the sculpture it self. I do feel that if I had created a hole where one could insert there hand or arm there could have had a stronger effect in the idea of the vagina being an over taking force. But I also feel that there would have been a more over powering association with sex.  Having fear that my sculpture would have too much of an overtone of sex I didn’t insert the hole. However I do feel I should of done it to a smaller scale and maybe not incorporate the interaction. Another reason I didn’t want to incorporate the interaction aspect was that the sculpture is based on my own personal vagina and I don’t feel that the interaction would add to my idea of my own personal strength. If I had the interaction of having anybody insert themselves into my vagina, my sculpture would lose some of the power and strength I wanted to portray through the subject matter of it being my vagina and the perspective. Another thing that was pointed out was that my sculpture was humorous or that it had a humor overtone. There was a sort of an argument whether this was humorous or not. I feel that in the way my sculpture was created there was humor due to its large size, obnoxious use of pink, and that fact that it was a vagina it self. I wasn’t trying to create a detailed photo realistic version of a vagina, because then it would have been too obvious and other associations would have been made. The use of abstraction, size, color and subject matter I believe creates a humorous tone to the piece. Humor to me can be a strength within it self because it allows several people to relate in a universal way. One more thing that was brought up during critique was the color of the vagina as the light pink was thought to reference skin. My intention with the use of the two tones of pink was to give a frontal view of my vagina without the integration of skin. I wanted to make it seem as if I was opening up my legs and giving a completely frontal view to what is often hidden or not exposed to the general public. I feel like maybe the integration of more content whether it is adding more substance to the top or bottom of the sculpture would help the audience understand the perspective. Also the interpretation of the hole might also help the viewers see the frontal positioning of the vagina. Over all I feel like my sculpture gave off certain aspects of my concept and could of use more content and shape correction to help guide the audience into the perspective and purpose.


Sunday, September 14, 2014

It WAS Judy Chicago!

I think it was Annemarie who mentioned Judy Chicago during the critique after I was attempting to reference someone but it turned out she was correct!

Here is the exhibition I saw recently while in Brooklyn at the Brooklyn Museum.

The Dinner Party - Judy Chicago






Saturday, September 13, 2014

Books Mentioned in Class

Hi sculpture peeps,
so these are the books I mentioned in class.
My grad teacher recommended This Means This, This Means That, and it is EXCELLENT. There's so many mind blowing/mid opening sections in this book. In short, it'll revolutionize the way you read and think about signs, which will, in turn, benefit how you read and think about art. If you'd like to strengthen your conceptual abilities, read this book.
I've only read parts of Launching the Imagination, but from the parts I've read, it's been great. It's great for adding visual layers/dimensions to your work. I find it also really helps with the creative process, especially if you've hit a creative block. It's nice to have by your side while creating. If you think a piece is lacking a certain something, or you'd simply like to take a piece to the next level visually, I'd say this is the book for you. For what it's worth, I also find the book's material inspiring (aka, it makes me want to make art).

Also, while I'm at at, this is a surprisingly potent read: "Steal Like an Artist." It's only like 70 pages (with big font), but no page is wasted. There's so much great advice in here. So much excellent wisdom too. It's like the life hacks for art (art hacks I guess?) Kinda like all the things you wish someone had told you when you first started making art. It's written by a seasoned artist, which kinda makes sense. Anyhow, it's just such a great read. I recommend this book to literally anyone who creates, And yes, I realize how many people fall into that category. This book is just that applicable.
 Anyone in our class is welcome to barrow the book from me if you like.

http://www.amazon.com/Steal-Like-Artist-Things-Creative/dp/0761169253/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1410624300&sr=8-1&keywords=steal+like+an+artist+kleon

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Giant vagina sculpture (from crit discussion)

This is the piece we were thinking of (I believe)...by Niki de Saint Phalle "Hon-en Katedral", i.e., "She - a Cathedral" (1966). I think the artist is saying, "walk into my vagina, people. You know you want to." The color choices and style is modernist to me (color fields), and has a pop art flavor. Woman as commodity, as a spectacle.

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Columns!


I just saw this interesting film about the artist Anselm Kiefer -- very slow, meditative pace, but worth it when you are in the mood. This visual of sculptural stacked "cities" or dwellings that Kiefer created reminded me of the project we just completed. 


Another artist that I had previously researched, but forgot until today, is Marie Watt from Portland, Oreogn. She does stacked, column-like sculptures of donated blankets that appear to defy gravity. She is interested in the ritual embedded in everyday objects.
http://mkwatt.com/index.php/content/work_detail/category/blanket_stories_objects/

Friday, September 5, 2014

Current Events From Andrew

World Map of Internet Access

—Sent out a ping on August second to get a response from all the online IP address’

Take a second to consider all the things the internet gives us access to, and then consider how much of the world doesn't have access to this resource. Business, politics, current events, skills, trades, information relating to fields of study, opinions, culture, economics, and even the freaking weather. All of these things (and probably more that I’m not thinking of) are resources the internet gives us access to. Now realize the black spots on this map are areas not accessing the internet.

What does it mean to be globally connected, and what benefits does this connection bring with it? As humans, it seems like we thrive best when we’re all connected. So why aren't these black areas connected? What’s stopping them from connecting via the internet. Are there possibly different and better ways of connecting without the internet?


Wtf is it with police and lethal force?

What we know about Michael Brown's shooting

—the events are very “he said, she said” and range from Michael raising his hands in mercy to Michael attacking the police officer and grabbing at the officers gun.
—Michael was unarmed
—Michael was shot six to eight times in the head and chest
—pretty sure they called in the national guard to handle the rioting 

Police Claim Man Who Died During Arrest “Did Not Appear to be in Great Distress” UPDATE

—suspicion of selling loose cigarettes
—putting the asthmatic Garner into a chokehold
—the man can be heard stating repeatedly that he could not breathe
—handbook specifically states no use of chokeholds when apprehending a criminal
—to top it off, was even neglected by the paramedics
—died because he went into cardiac arrest


Man shot and killed by St. Louis Police


—Yelled “Shoot me now. Kill me now”
—known for being mentally disturbed
—did brandish a knife


Yes, these victims are black, which is a whole separate issue in itself, but why does this force need to be applied in the first place? Out of all the disarming and immobilizing techniques our police force has access to, why are guns and similar lethal forces the first to be applied?


I think we can take away thoughts of force and oppression, and consider the necessity of forces like this. Are these forces doing more saving than killing? If so, for who? How would forces like this come into existence? How far back does the use of lethal force on “criminals” go?
Andrew’s Consumer Column

As said in class, I’m looking for items for people to temporarily contribute to my sculpture. No items will be harmed, and all will be taken care of. The items will only need to be loaned for one to two days at most. This time can even be less if need be. This is totally voluntary, and I would like no one to feel pressured to contribute. So without further ado, here is what I’m looking for.

Themes:
—Things that pressure people to buy right now
—Things that encourage people to purchase more
—Things that promote happiness from buying their product


Consumer Products:
—New clothes (adult and child)
—Child toys
—Perfumes
—Clothing accessories (things that are more fashionable than useful)
—High end shoes
—High quality electronics
—Make up
—Hair products
—Any boxes of these things too!!!


Consumer Enablers:
—Wallets (male and female) *I need lots of these!*
—Purses
—Non disposable shopping bags
—Shipping boxes *I could also use a lot of these!!!*


Consumer Advertisements:
Commercials, coupons, paper ads, ect.
These ads should function on buying more/extra, buying now, appealing to a social status, buying to achieve happiness.



Basically, ANYTHING THAT GIVES YOU A FEELING OF 1ST WORLD CONSUMERISM will probably be awesome and I would appreciate beyond words.

Feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. If you would like extra special and careful treatment of an item, I have no problem providing it. Just let me know what precautions you’d like me to take. Seriously, I appreciate anything so much and am absolutely faltered to be receiving your help and contributions to my piece. Thanks again:)
Cell: (904) 305-2159

E-mail: andrewzoyes@gmail.com